Carlos Bogran

Managing common insect pests successfully usually involves an integration of control tactics aimed at minimizing pest immigration and reproduction in the target crop. Successful pest management also involves maximizing the impact of mortality factors that regulate pest density. When conditions are favorable for insect colonization and development and mortality by weather and natural enemies is low, applications of insecticides may be necessary to minimize crop damage. Whiteflies, mealybugs and leafminers are among the most challenging pests to control. Problems with these pests often start when propagules–usually the less conspicuous and most easily transported life stage of the species–are introduced into the crop. Whitefly, mealybug and leafminer eggs and early instars are very difficult to detect by routine inspection due to their small size and secluded behavior. Once established, populations of these insects can quickly reach unacceptable levels triggering insecticide applications. Fortunately, several new insecticides such as spirotetramat (Kontos) are now […]

In a time when the industry is facing a critical shortage of both labor and skilled, educated growers, it's important that grower operations don't unwittingly turn candidates off to a career at their business or in the industry in general. Take a closer look at your hiring practices to ensure you are being inclusive and not breaking any laws.

I see one main issue facing our industry in getting more people to buy plants — we assume that the way we used to sell plants is the way millennials will want to buy them. Nothing could be further from the truth. We sell plants in small packs that you plant in a hole in your garden, with a generic label that says “blooms all season.” Millennials don’t have gardens, so they want a plant they can put on their fourth floor apartment balcony, or better yet on a shelf in their living room near a window. We give them too little information to help them be successful under those circumstances. But what we don’t realize is that if the plant dies, they feel personally responsible for killing another living thing which is so painful that they would prefer not to take the chance a second time. If we sold […]

Antje Verstl, a German visual merchandiser who has worked with many high level garden retailers in Europe, has a lot of practical, and inspirational advice on how to transform your plant yard into an exciting place to shop. Take a look at this gallery, and enjoy a visual guide from Verstl. Her book, “Eagle & Frog!,” is now available for purchase by an American market through her website.

Michigan State University is bringing together two great causes of our times — supporting vets and boosting pollinators — in its new program aimed at teaching professional beekeeping to former soldiers.